The leap from the ordered world of corporate life to full-time motherhood, clinical hypnotherapy, traditional medicine, and entrepreneurship is undoubtedly a pivotal life transition—one that requires deep mental agility and level-headed strength. Even nine years later, Dianna Lee admits the internal conflict of walking away from her corporate job as group CEO of Country Heights Holdings Berhad hasn’t completely faded. “Quitting my corporate job was a huge struggle. That identity had been part of me for so long, and letting it go wasn’t easy,” Lee reflects. To cope and redefine her path, she focused on staying busy. “I started spending more time with my little girls, went back to school, and took on whatever called to me, such as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and energy healing,” she says. “All of it has been so beneficial, not just for me as a woman but also as a mother and in how I support myself and my family.”
After completing her studies and a work stint in the United States, Lee returned home to support her family’s business and assisted her father, Tan Sri Lee Kim Yew. She appreciated the steep learning curve, especially because her father never gave her any special treatment. As Lee progressed in her career, her ambition grew alongside her recognition. She continued to push forward, but the quiet thought of her daughters brought her back to centre, urging her to slow down and reassess her priorities. “Motherhood, at the time, just kind of happened in the background. It wasn’t my main focus,” Lee recalls. “I had a third child on the way, and I asked myself, ‘What’s really your priority?’ At the end of the day, kids just want their mum. I realised I needed to be there for them.”
Through every chapter, her husband, Robin Ang, stood firmly by her side—cheering her on as she stepped into motherhood, and helping her to flourish in the health and wellness space. “Taking on this path comes with so many responsibilities, and he’s carried so much to make it possible for me to follow my passion. I truly credit him for that,” she says. Today, Lee champions a holistic approach to well-being, integrating spirituality, naturopathy, and neuroscience in her hypnotherapy practice at 360 Wellness Hub in Bangsar South. Alongside her wellness work, she co-leads Blanc Silk, a luxury pure silk bedding brand for children, with her daughters, as well as Naya Ventures, an early-stage investment company.
What was the pivotal moment that shaped the way you approach life today?
After giving birth to my first daughter, I went back to work fairly quickly. I had just been promoted and it was still the early stages of my career. I was young and didn’t have much experience, so I felt this pressure to return to work as soon as possible—to put in more hours, to learn fast, and to be on par with my peers. It wasn’t until my third pregnancy that something really shifted. I remember going to the kindergarten for a management meeting, and it happened to be on the same day as performance day. My daughter came up to me and said, “I’m so happy you’re here.” I smiled but, deep down, I felt this wave of guilt. I started reflecting on everything—my work, the dynamics I had with my dad at the time, and the stress I was under. That’s when I truly paused for the first time.
How has motherhood changed your relationship with your own inner child?
Motherhood has allowed me to heal as much as I’ve become aware of myself. It’s about finding balance—being more harmonious with my past self, my present self, and the future version of me that I aspire to be. To unlearn and learn. Since learning hypnotherapy and its methods, I’ve become much more mindful of my words and actions. I’m aware that everything I say and do is recorded in my children’s subconscious, whether they are directly looking at me or not. Even if they’re not in the room, their subconscious still absorbs what I do. That’s the power of the subconscious mind.
Who or what do you look to for guidance when you’re facing doubt or indecision?
The answer is within you. You just have to be still enough to find it. I’ve always believed in myself. Back in my corporate days, I had to make a lot of big decisions, and I’m not someone who typically likes to ask for help. That’s something I’ve had to unlearn and relearn, especially through parenting. Over time, I’ve realised the importance of having a strong support system. When I’m in doubt, I read, reflect, and remind myself that seeking help is not a weakness—it’s a strength and an essential skill.
If you could ask just one question of someone you deeply respect and admire, who would it be and what would you ask?
One person I really admire is Dr Joseph Murphy, the author of The Power Of Your Subconscious Mind. I would love to ask him, “How can we transform the subconscious mind even faster?” This is something I’ve been exploring deeply in my own studies and practice.
What’s the first thing you do in the morning?
I practise my breathing technique.
What do you crave most at the end of the day?
To hug my kids.
Photography by Anna-Rina
